The Tiger Print — September 2019

THE TIGER PRINT

blue valley high school | vol. 50 | issue 2 | september 2019 | bvtigernews.com | overland park, kansas

social media & the mind

social media influences the minds of new generations read about it on page 15

| DESIGN BY CHARLIE TRENT | ILLUSTRATION BY ANI KREEGAR

2 | september 2019 | contents

Contents

periodT

NEWS

6

They Can’t Stop All of Us Learn about the raid taking place in Nevada today.

FEATURE

10

Comparing Costs Homecoming prices between dates.

ENTERTAINMENT

23

Freshman Lingo Periodt.

OPINION

30

Come On Barbie Olivia Sherlock thinks doll’s influence should be seen more positively

| DESIGN BY CHARLIE TRENT

//TIGER PRINT THE

editors-in-chief managing editor Maddy Kang Vince Orozco Shay Lawson staff members Megan Bridges Chloe Browning Emily Cummings Isabelle Fletcher Aubrey Herrin

Erika Kolseth Stephanie Kontopanos Ani Kreegar Frannie Lamberti Harrison Melton

design editor Charlie Trent

adviser Michelle Huss

Claire Middleton Tymber Moody Spencer Norman Lizzy Parkerson Liya Patel Jaidyn Phillips

Claire Powell Mia Rice Gabriela Ruiz Olivia Sherlock

“The Tiger Print” is an official publication of Blue Valley High School, an open forum distributed to all students eight times a year. This publication may contain controversial material. Kansas law prohibits the suppression of a student publication solely because it may contain controversial matter. Blue Valley Unified School District No. 229 and its board members, officers and employees may disclaim any responsibility for the content of this publication; it is not an expression of school policy.

Student authors and editors are solely responsible for the content of this publication.

Letters to the editor are encouraged for publication. “The Tiger Print” reserves the right to edit all submissions for both language and content.

Letters should be submitted to Room 450, emailed to thetigerprint@gmail.com or mailed to: The Tiger Print Blue Valley High School 6001 W. 159th St. Overland Park, KS 66085

OFF the

news |september 2019 |

3

RADAR

Stock Market Dip PHOTO The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 800 points on Aug. 14. This sudden decrease concerned Americans as fears of a said economic recession this year continue to brew.

According to the Washington Post, the Dow had lost about 7 percent three weeks prior to the drop.

President Donald Trump tweeted about the events, crediting the nation’s problems to the Federal Reserves and increased interest rates.

Hong Kong Riots The streets of Hong Kong have been filled with dissatisfied citizens for the past few months.

Protests began because of an extradition bill passed back in February — called the Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2019, according to National Public Radio.

This bill should extradite suspected offenders to other countries.

The bill was suspended but not in full.

Violence continued to escalate in hopes of the government to look into police brutality.

Record-Breaking Lightning A remote sensing scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory recently reported observing a massive strike of lightning — also known as “spider lightning,” according to National Geographic. He analyzed two lightning strikes — both were record-breaking.

One lightning bolt struck a total of 418 miles over the country of Brazil. The strike measured barely longer than the width of the state of Kansas. The other lightning strike ignited the skies of the Central United States for a total of 13.5 seconds.

These lightning bolts were detected by new satellite technology from NOAA, who is continuing to develop advanced weather technology for the near future. | PHOTOS COURTESY OF TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE | WORDS BY MADDY KANG

4 | september 2019 | news

This Stings!

Bee, butterfly populations decreasing ani kreegar staff writer

W

ith the dramatic increase in urban development, wild bee and butterfly populations have been immensely decreasing. The mass deforestation humans have inflicted on the ecosystems that bees and butterflies call home is a major part of this.

The forests these creatures live in are being replaced by roads and houses, so it’s no wonder the majority of the bees and butterflies are gone.

Along with the decline in forest growth and stability, humans promote the growth of different parasites and put stress on the environment that will eventually harm the bees and butterflies.

Examples of this are seen with the fumes from cars, diesel engines, tractors, electronic and mining industries and coal power plants.

| DESIGN BY ANI KREEGAR

Additionally, the burning of garbage and increased amounts of ash and dust contribute to the stress on both the environment and on the bee and butterfly populations.

Since the habitat loss is the largest force in the decline of both populations, there is an organization working to help replenish the bee and butterfly habitats in the hopes of helping the populations grow.

This group is called “The Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund,� and they are trying to give the honey bees, monarch butterflies and other pollinators in the area access to resources that are abundant and high-quality. This can help them live healthier and longer lives.

They work with certain farms and provide discounted seeds and pollination seeds in order to make the farms suitable for more bees and butterflies to populate.

news |september 2019 |

5

,

Make the

Tiger Mentors enforce theme for current school year

WHAT IS UNCONSCIOUS BIAS?

Jenna McCarty

One of the most repeated phrases a person will hear in their childhood is, “don’t judge a book by its cover.”

Although this statement seems easy, throughout the course of the school year, everyone is busy studying for up-

coming tests or grading dozens of papers.

Often this piece of advice is forgotten — it is called unconscious bias.

Peyton Heaney THE GOAL

THE PLAN In order to ensure students are following the theme, Tiger Mentors are working hands-on with their assigned Tiger Time teachers.

“Starting off, we watch a video that will show them [unconscious bias],” executive mentor senior Peyton Heaney said. “Then they will tell us what they think about it.

Then we’re going to periodically talk about different ways we can stop unconscious bias from happening at our school.”

Another executive tiger mentor, senior Jenna McCarty continues with how the Tiger Mentor staff will accomplish their goal and the motivation that lies behind the goal of each member.

“We get PowerPoints throughout the year and activities about diversity,” McCarty said. “We are motivated by the unconscious bias video shown at the beginning of the year that instills into freshmen that they will practice the theme for four years.”

Students and faculty are expected to recognize these initial impressions before passing judgement throughout the school year with the assistance of the Tiger Mentor staff.

Heaney said a Tiger Mentor is someone who possesses good leadership skills.

“They need to know how to answer different questions and ways around subjects.” Heaney said. “Also, what the school is all about and what the freshmen need to know.”

McCarty defines her position as one of the five people in charge of overseeing the mentors and ensuring everything runs smoothly.

She said her main task is to enforce and explain this year’s theme.

“Making snap judgments isn’t fair because you don’t know that person, and you don’t know who they are,” McCarty said.

“Judgment is not fair to them.

It is important to open yourself up to people and to recognize when you stereotype. The whole theme is to recognize that you’re making snap judgments and to stop stereotyping.”

Test your unconcious bias by scanning this QR code

THE FUTURE This year’s theme does not just apply to the freshmen, these are just the students that are provided a Tiger Mentor to advise through lessons about the topic.

It is important for all grades and the faculty to recognize this behavior and correct it.

“No matter what age you’re at, it’s very difficult to not make judgments; it’s very relevant throughout your entire life because you’re always meeting new people,” McCarty said. “It’s not just the freshmen that are going to be new; you’re going to be a freshman in college one day; you’re going to be new at a job. So it’s important

that you treat people the way that you want to be treated and by not judging them.”

McCarty said this year’s new group of Tiger Mentors is great and will work very well with the freshmen. The Tiger Mentor staff is confident the theme will be effective and that everyone will learn more about not making snap judgments.

“We want to grow the Tiger family and make us one and become better friends and not be rude to each other,” Heaney said.

| WORDS & DESIGN BY SHAY LAWSON

6 | september 2019 | news

The 4-1-1 on Area 51

stephanie kontopanos & isabelle fletcher staff writers In early July, a Facebook event for Sept. 20 at 3 a.m., titled “Storm Area 51, They Can’t Stop All of Us” circulated around the Internet. Area 51 is a military base in Nevada that is rumored to have aliens.

Many people have claimed U.F.O. sightings above the base, but the U.S. Air Force denied the claims, stating they were testing air crafts. Before it was taken down by Facebook, more than 2 million people RSVPed. Before the post, Area 51 was an enigma. “[It’s a mystery because] the government didn’t acknowledge [Area 51] until people started asking questions,” sophomore Reece Dickerson said.

Since then, Area 51 content has been widespread across social media platforms such as Reddit, Instagram and Tik Tok. English teacher Rebecca Knueven, however, didn’t learn about Area 51 from social media.

“At night, I scroll through the news and it happened to pop up on my news feed,” Knueven said. “I thought it was a joke until I quickly realized it was not.”

Maps demonstrating attack plans have been created and conspiracy theories are being formed.

“I have heard we possibly made contact [with aliens] and then they reported that it was a weather balloon,” Knueven said.

Videos about theoretically housing and interacting with the aliens have combined with other pop culture references. Following on the coattails of this event, many celebrities, such as Miley Cyrus, Lil Nas X and Elon Musk, have provided their commentary on Twitter.

The continued support and momentum have been spurred by social media platforms. Some are dedicated to keeping the event alive and keeping it in people’s minds.

Many people aren’t taking this event as a joke. Hotels near the base have filled up. There are guides on the Internet providing information on how to carry out the raid. Lincoln County in Nevada has declared an emergency.

Senior Victoria Hill said she wouldn’t raid the base but would be a double agent.

“I’d probably try to get a job inside of Area 51,” Hill said. “That way I can just leak all the information instead of causing more people to die trying to storm it.”

The U.S. Air Force has issued a serious warning advising people to stay away from Area 51. The Air Force also noted that Area 51, also known as Homey Airport, is an open training range for the U.S. Air Force.

The original creator of the Facebook post was also visited by the FBI and has confirmed the post wasn’t meant to be taken seriously. Instead of the raid, he is planning an alien-themed music festival from Sept. 19 to Sept. 22. However, this festival is causing concern regarding the county’s financial and environmental state.

The government is standing by, ready to protect Area 51, but people are ready to storm.

| CARTOON ORIGINALLY APPEARED IN THE NOVEMBER 1996 ISSUE OF THE TIGER PRINT | DESIGN BY SPENCER NORMAN & STEPHANIE KONTOPANOS

news |september 2019 |

7

Tigers Inc. coffee shop now open during Tiger Paws, Connections students involved with operation

aubrey herrin & maddy kang

staff writer & co-editor in chief Beginning Aug. 26, the school store, Tigers Inc., implemented exciting changes to its operation times and services.

“The coffee shop will be open during Tiger Paws now,” coffee shop manager junior Rylee Bergmann said. “We’re selling iced coffee and iced tea.”

Tigers Inc. is also going to work with the Connections students and

have them help brew coffee during fourth hour as well as make drink deliveries to teachers.

“There’s going to be two to three of our staff, and then one to two of their kids,” Bergmann said. “We’re going to see during the first few weeks what works best for them.”

Bergmann said the sole goal of opening up the coffee shop wasn’t just for more profit — the store wanted to help Connections students get involved and create a source of caffeine for everyone as well.

“We wanted to include the

Connections kids in more things,” Bergmann said. “It’s also a great opportunity to open [the store] up more because kids like coffee during the day if they didn’t get enough caffeine.”

The changes to coffee shop has also inspired the staff to include the Connections kids in future jobs with Tigers Inc. “For apparel, we’ve already opened during back-to-school night, and for outside events and football games,” Bergmann said. “[As for the Connections kids,] they’ll be included in the whole thing.”

| DESIGN BY AUBREY HERRIN

8 | september 2019 | feature

TIGER Grace Runyan, 12 Audrey Crawford, 12 Sammy Behrndt, 12

“There’s nothing like it,” junior Tate Gillen said. “The atmosphere is electric, and I love the adrenaline rush you get every play.”

Sarah Gravitt, 10 Kaitlin Green, 10

Mr. Bacon

Speaking during Tiger Time, junior class president Piper Puccetti discusses 2019 Homecoming.

| PHOTOS BY CLAIRE POWELL,

Hunter Myers, 12 CLAIRE MIDDLETON & CHARLIE TRENT Audrey Borcherding, 12 Jenna Newkirk, 12 Riley Hinmon, 12

| DESIGN BY ERIKA KOLSETH

feature|september 2019 |

At the choral picnic, senior Elizabeth Phillips laughs.

Michael Samuel, 11

Cheering for class competition, junior Patrick Judy plans to pass up the sophomores at the next competition.

“I’m gonna get more hype, for sure.”

Football captain senior Mason Richman takes a breath during Blue Valley’s first football game. “I feel locked into the enviornment, the fans, the other team, just wanting to prove people wrong.”

Grant Calvert, 12

TIDBITS

9

10 | september 2019 | feature

6 Dances and Hundreds of Dollars Later...

BV couple compares, contrasts getting ready for dances Homecoming is a staple of the high school experience. The pageantry and preparation that go into the annual event are extensive and, frankly, costly, both concerning time and money.

Though Homecoming is seemingly such a universal ordeal, the irrefutable fact is that it is a vastly different experience for boys and girls.

“I always buy a new dress because sizes change in some nature,” senior Elizabeth Sutton said.

A dress can be a significant investment, especially considering many students never reuse them after the dance they were specifically purchased for. When asked about her average expenditure for a Homecoming dress, Sutton said, “about $300 per dress,” while, at $600, her prom dress marked her most expensive purchase.

After attending seven school dances including the approaching homecoming, this bring’s Sutton’s total to more than $2,000 for dresses alone.

Clothes do not account for the only significant homecoming expenses.

“I do acrylic [nails], and they’re usually about $60,” Sutton said.

She also recounts spending $20 on accessories and around $50 for a spray tan.

In contrast, Sutton’s date for the past seven dances senior Ethan Mayers said, “a suit can be $100 or more just to buy, but they can last all four years.”

With the addition of yearly alterations and a tie which, according to Mayers, “is usually

about $40,” he still spends much less each year.

However, Mayers also accepts more of the expiriential purchases.

“Unless it’s Sweetheart, I pay for all tickets,” Mayers said. He also pays for a nice dinner.

Sutton and Mayers also provided commentary on their pre-dance routines.

“I’ll usually wash my hair the night before, and then I’ll like to wake and put some dry shampoo in it to make it really puffy,” Sutton said. “Then I’ll curl it and let it sit for two hours. Then I’ll do my makeup and then probably go get some food. Then I’ll do the final touches and I’m out the door.”

In comparison to her multi-day process, Mayers has a simpler routine.

“It takes 30 minutes to an hour,” Mayers said. “I’ll shower, do my hair, shave, get my suit on, and go.”

Although it is significantly more of a commitment for most girls than boys, Homecoming does require money, time, and planning form everyone involved.

Nevertheless, the fact that it has remained so popular over the years implies that, for many students, the event itself outweighs the inconveniences.

“Homecoming is 100 percent worth it just to get to spend time with someone you like to spend time with,” Mayers said.

| STORY BY GABRIELA RUIZ, HARRISON MELTON, & OLIVIA SHERLOCK

feature|september 2019 |

11

61% spent less than $100 on a suit

47% spend only 1 day preparing for the dance

73% spent less than $100 on a dress

63% wear shoes

39% spent $100-$200 to get ready for Homecoming

they’ve previously owned to the dance

| 227 STUDENTS SURVEYED | DESIGN BY SPENCER NORMAN & HARRISON MELTON

12 | september 2019 | feature

TOK TOK ABOUT ABOUT TRENDS TRENDS students become tik tok famous

chloe browning & frannie lamberti staff writers Have you ever heard of the app Tik Tok? If not, you’ve most likely been living under a rock. Tik Tok is a social media app for creating and sharing short lip-sync, comedy and talent videos.

The app was made as a new version of Musical.ly and has about 800 million downloads worldwide.

Many Blue Valley students have the app and either create or watch Tik Toks.

We found four students at BV who have gained followings on the app and asked them what it’s like being “internet famous.”

MOLLY TURNER, TURNER, 9 9 MOLLY “I was really bored one day, and all my friends wanted to make Tik Tok accounts. I started my account this past winter.”

mollisonn

@mollisonn

40

55.8k

Following

Followers

Follow insta: molly.mc.turner youtube: mollison turner goal 60k

| DESIGN BY FRANNIE LAMBERTI

550.6k

“One time I was at Worlds of Fun, and this kid came up to me and asked if I was Molly from Tik Tok and asked to take a picture with me.”

Hearts

“My most liked video has about 200k likes.”

feature|september 2019 |

KAILEE KAILEE JOHNSON, JOHNSON, 10 10 ur mom

“The video with the most views has 3.3 million, and it has 330.8K likes.”

@kjtiktokmaster

671

35.8k

Following

466.2k

Followers

Hearts

Follow

“I’m at a dance competition and this little girl came up to me and she said, ‘Kjtiktokmaster, I’m your favorite fan.’ And I said, ‘Oh, really?’ It was the funniest thing ever. She came up to me and gave me a hug, it was so cute.”

WILL MONTGOMERY, MONTGOMERY, 12 12 WILL

professional bunny obliterater

Will Montgomery

“One of my videos has 288k likes and two million views.” @will.monty2020

“I’ve gotten a lot of random texts from people I haven’t talked to in three years saying they saw me on the app. A lot of people haven’t really found out about it yet, but I guess the cat’s out of the bag.”

BEN KNOPS, KNOPS, 11 11 BEN

30

33.7k

Following

Followers

554.8k Hearts

Follow 17 I just want to have fun and spread truth doing it Galatians 2:20

Ben

@bentheskaterboi

69

49.9k

Following

Followers

1.1m

“I messed up on a [skateboarding] trick and I posted the video. It got 11k views and then I started posting ones right landed, and then I got a lot more views.”

Hearts

Follow 16 years old insta:benknops peanut butter banana sandwiches

“It’s such a variety of comments, some are like, ‘I love you and your hair.’ Others would be like, ‘you suck at skating.’ And then there’s some weird comments and weird DMs. I’ve gotten a picture of person riding a skateboard, and there’s pasta on his feet. I’m not lying, I’ve got a picture of an old man eating terrible stuff.”

13

14 | september 2019 | feature

Oddball Jobs Teachers Enjoy Faculty earn extra income doing what they love jaidyn phillips staff writer Have you ever wondered what a teacher does when they go home? Do they even go home?

Several teachers have outside hobbies including reading, biking, singing, bowling and so much more, but have you ever heard of them having another job?

Or a cool job?

Teachers Mackenzie Fuller, an exercise teacher; Brian Mowry, a former teacher in China; and Madi Plankers, a chef ’s assistant, shared what they do outside of teaching.

“I get paid to do something I love, kind of the same thing with teaching,” Fuller said, “I love teaching fitness classes. I love to work out.

I love burpees. I know I’m crazy.”

For Mowry, it wasn’t to do something he loved, it was to get out of a place he felt trapped in.

“Just a sense of adventure — I wanted to live elsewhere,” he said. “ That was the easiest way for me.”

Sometimes it’s not just about the adventure, sometimes the extra pay is good, too.

Plankers said her interest helped bring in a little more income.

“It’s not far from where I live [and]

| DESIGN BY JAIDYN PHILLIPS

I have always enjoyed cooking as a passion,” she said. “So for me, it was a fun way to kind of pursue a hobby while also earning some extra money.”

Students work to make money, but they also work to get a sense of what it’s going to be like when they graduate.

The three teachers shared how working outside of school has helped them grow as a teacher.

“The student has a public face they put forward that obscures who they are and what they remember,” Mowry said.

“In America, it’s not as thick or as harsh of a mask. You don’t hide as much as my Chinese students do. But everybody does it. Everybody has it.”

When people hide behind a mask, they don’t tend to reach full potential when they could be finding what they love to do.

“I think when you are a young adult and are just starting your first big kid job before you have a lot of other commitments, I would suggest for people to find a hobby or passion in addition,” Plankers said.

“I have other hobbies and interests.”

Fuller said people should find something that pushes them.

“One thing I always say when I teach workout classes is ‘If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you,’ Fuller said. “I feel like that applies a lot to school [If you are not] challenged, you’re not gonna learn anything new.”

society on social media the relationship between social media, suicide prevention

written by: claire powell, lizzy parkerson, chloe browning Suicide Prevention is a prevalent topic surrounding high school students, especially with September being National Suicide Awareness Month. With the use of social media spreading suicide awareness, users of these platforms are exposed to many factors that contribute to their thinking pattern.

Some experts and students at Blue Valley shared their stories about their experiences with suicide. Read on to learn more. | DESIGN BY CHARLIE TRENT | ILLUSTRATION BY ANI KREEGAR

on the cover | september 2019 |

15

16 | september 2019 | on the cover

social media suicide guidelines terms on social media apps regarding suicide

snapchat

twitter

Snapchat is an app that allows users to talk and share photos with other people around the world. Through it, users can send pictures and videos that disappear after opening. With that, nothing sent on Snapchat is permanent, so suicide notes posted by users only last for 24 hours.

The app’s policy encourages users to report content indicating self harm, but it does not have a screening process. In the event that something does happen, the app has a policy that allows law enforcement to access accounts through a proper legal process.

The National Suicide Prevention Hotline has an account called The Lifeline(@800273TALK). The account is connected to the hotline, though it is not monitored 24/7. The account announces talks and panels and spreads awareness.

Most tweets on Twitter are thoughts of the user. For some, Twitter acts as their suicide note. Twitter does not have a suicide note policy, but the app allows the family of the deceased to deactivate their loved one’s account. Some families want to keep the account alive as a memorial.

Twitter does not allow for the removal of tweets — just the accounts.

instagram Instagram has a policy against posting anything that promotes self-harm, and it censors certain hashtags.

However, the app’s algorithm does not screen out all content. Instagram and other social media platforms are a way to connect and get support from other people. They provide a supportive community for users to express their problems.

These sites also allow users to show pictures and connect over their pain, survival, and acceptance.

youtube The past couple years, YouTube’s rules when it comes to suicide as been in the spotlight thanks to YouTuber Logan Paul.

Back in 2018, the influencer published a gruesome video of a man who died by suicide in a Japanese forest. Since then, the company has changed some of its terms and agreements. While YouTube said they don’t discourage users opening up about mental health, they stop at videos that glorify suicide, graphic images of self-harm and providing inctructions as to how to self-harm or die by suicide.

on the cover | september 2019 |

know your resources hotlines

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK)

17

experts’ opinion

I

Moe Edmonds

n a world full of false information and glorification of dark topics, education over these subjects about mental health and suicide is more important than ever. A few of The Tiger Print staff members attended a Johnson County Mental Health Center Hosts Panel on the “recommendations for reporting on suicide” in August to listen to leading mental health experts discussing the role media plays in suicide prevention.

The first to speak was Bonnie Swade, founder of Suicide Awareness Survivor Support Missouri and Kansas (SASS MoKan). She started the conversation by mentioning how using the wrong language about a suicide in the media is hurtful to the family and others.

“People use to say somebody committed suicide. It goes back to the days when people were committed to insane asylums,” Swade said. “Say someone died by suicide or they took his or her life. Don’t use the words like a successful suicide, an unsuccessful or a failed attempt.”

In the middle of the panel table sat doctor Carla Counts Allan, Ph.D., director of ADHD programs at Children’s Mercy-Kansas City. She aid when having discussions on suicide —Tim DeWeese, prevention through social media as well, director of Johnson people should be cautious of the words County Mental Health Center they use; nevertheless, these apps need to bear some responsibility for their content.

“I really am worried about how often teens might see details that aren’t meant for other people’s eyes in a very short period of time,” Allan said.

Despite this, the doctor said the apps can help provide a chance for families to have a real exchange of views about suicide prevention.

“It can spark a conversation, a real dialogue within our homes and with people who are well intentioned and there to provide a social connection,” Allan said.

A man named Tim DeWeese, the director of Johnson County Mental Health Center, said while social media can bring communication to suicide prevention, having an authentic human relationship is important for a more wholesome mental health.

“Despite the fact that we are the most technologically advanced society in world history, we are more disconnected than ever before,” DeWeese said.

The youngest out of his fellow panelists, Rory Swenson, #ZeroReasonsWhy Teen Council member favored DeWeese and said there are certain ways to approach teens about suicide that differentiates from adults.

“Reach them through natural support instead of through

the media,” Swenson said. “It’s important that they have someone that’s discussing with them in their school directly.”

Revolving back to the traditional media, Swenson mentioned what is beneficial when covering a death by suicide.

“The method, the purpose, the note, etc. –— that’s not important to the suicide or what [the media should] portray,” Swenson said. “It should be portraying a positive outreach [and] the community’s response.”

In accord with Swenson, DeWeese said the intricacies of how someone took their life is traumatizing to the people that were closest to the person.

“When we talk about a death by suicide, we’re following that with what help is available and what options exist,” DeWeese said.

Not only should the media depict the community’s response or resources available, but Swade said it should also be focused on the individual who died by suicide.

“It is more important to highlight what the person did in his or her life, their work and how they interacted with their family,” Swade said. “Their death only took a few minutes, and [they] had a lot of life before that.”

Crisis Text Line: Text CONNECT/HOME to 741741 National Hopeline: 800-784-2433 (1-800-SUICIDE) Teen Line (teens help teens):

800-852-8336

Wyandotte Center:

913-788-4200

bvhs counselors

A-D: Greg Curran E-I: Kirsta Meacham J-Mi: Kristin Stallbaumer Mo-Sa: Anne Dummit Sc-Z: Jane McGraw

bvhs psychologist Nalina Baker

bvhs social worker

18 | september 2019 | on the cover

student experiences

bvhs students recount past struggles

danielle berrigan

A

fter her parents divorced, senior Danielle Berrigan went into a tunnel of depression.

“I felt isolated until the end of freshman year and [throughout] that time I was getting worse,” Berrigan said. “I was developing suicidal thoughts.”

Struggling with body image, Ber“I admire the rigan said looking on social media as people who a middle schooler hurt her mental health. use their platform to “I saw people who were show others that it’s OK unrealistic, and I didn’t love myself anymore,” Berrigan to be struggling.” said. “That’s not what a sixth grade kid [should] be thinking.”

Berrigan was bullied on social media, most of the time by people she knew.

“It was my friends who were underhandedly [cyber]bullying me,” Berrigan said. “I felt like I couldn’t get out of that.

That’s what a lot of people feel — that mentality that I’m not good enough.”

Berrigan has noticed a decrease in the use of social media among teenagers.

“A lot of my friends who have dealt with [mental health] don’t have social media anymore because it’s sometimes a toxic environment for them,” she said.

While Berrigan knows social media is not for everybody, she’s seen several influential people talk about mental health using apps like Instagram or Twitter.

“I admire the people who use their platform to show others that it’s OK to be struggling,” Berrigan said. “Self awareness is really important for people in social media to have, especially if you have a big platform like influencers.”

Despite not using social media for support, Berrigan did use BV’s resources.

“I’ve talked to my counselor [Greg] Curran and my teachers; we also have a school psychologist, [Nalaina Baker],” Berrigan said. “I have seen in the halls posters up for people who need help. Everyone at our school is very aware, and they’re not afraid to put that out there.”

Another school resource Berrigan mentioned was a class she was invited to last semester called Reconnecting You. “It is about having a couple of kids in this class, sitting according to Suicide Awareness Voices of Education

7 in 100,000

there, listening to each other’s problems, learning to understand and communicate with each other,” Berrigan said. “Not only [did I] get so much out of it, but I was able to help other people.”

After overcoming her own self-harm, Berrigan has made it her mission to aid others going through similar struggles.

“I had a really good friend who killed themselves — I wasn’t able to be there for them and it’s not because of me, but because they wouldn’t let me in,” Berrigan said. “I always try to be there for the people who will let me in. I do everything I can.”

Berrigan said the reason why mental health and suicidal thoughts are not talked about enough is because of the stigma behind it.

“If [past generations] had a problem, they didn’t talk about it; if they didn’t feel all right inside, they just moved on or suffered in silence,” she said.

“When I told my mom I was depressed, she was like, ‘Oh, just get better.

It’s fine.’ She’s definitely of students have changed since then.”

Berrigan said times experienced have changed when it cyberbullying comes to mental health, *based on a poll of and a way to see that 233 bvhs students document of change is through social media.

“I guarantee you at least one person you know has been [affected by] depression or suicide — maybe you don’t know it, but they are,” Berrigan said. “We’re getting to that point on social media where we are trying to increase positive behaviors rather than becoming more negative.”

at bvhs

32.6%

teens die from suicide each year

on the cover | september 2019 |

19

noah clayman

T

his past May, junior Noah Clayman’s mother took her own life. In the past, her family has dealt with mental health.

“When [my mom] was seven her Dad was in Vietnam, and when he came back, he [died by] suicide,” Clayman said.

“I don’t think she ever got treatment for that.”

Clayman’s mother was put on medication but eventually stopped taking it.

“She didn’t want to take it because it made her gain weight,” Clayman said. “All these things happened, and it just got worse overtime. Then, in 2016 my parents got divorced.”

After the divorce, Clayman and her family started to part away from her mother. “[My sister], Jada and I never wanted to be with her, but Jada was always close with her,” Clayman said. “[Later], we ended up having to get a protection order against her because she was egging my dad’s car and doing teenage-like stuff.” *based on a poll of 233 bvhs students

yes

Because they weren’t close, many ask Clayman if she regrets her lack of relationship with her mother.

“I remember my mom saying that she was going kill herself if she ever got put in jail,” Clayman said. “We could have written her a letter, I just didn’t have time because of school, but Jada did. Jada has always asked if I regret it and I don’t.

Some people find that weird, but it’s like, what can I regret?

She was going to do it either way.”

Clayman said her mother was on the social media app, Facebook all the time, most of the content containing mean or hateful messages.

“The last thing she posted was a picture of this girl walking and there was quotes over it,” Clayman said. “It said, ‘you can’t control everyone’s negative behavior, but you can control how long you participate in it.’ I just always thought that she took that the wrong way.”

Clayman said her opinion on the relationship of social

do bvhs students think social media is the main cause of teen suicide?

74.2%

no 25.8% do bvhs students think social media helps spread awareness of suicide prevention?

Every Passover, Clayman and her family go to her aunt’s house. This previous Passover, while Clayman, her father and sister were out, Clayman’s mother was seen driving around the area.

“She was posting suicidal things on Facebook. The police came and she was still alive, but they found homemade explosives in her car,” Clayman said. “They arrested her and then Friday, she was released on bail. The next week she was supposed to be at court in the morning and didn’t show up.”

That same morning, Clayman was told her mother attempted suicide.

“In my head, she was still OK — it was weird though, because my dad’s crying and my first reaction [was to] start laughing,” Clayman said. “I was just like I’m going to finish out the day but I didn’t. I went home during fifth hour.”

Later that day Clayman and her sister went to the hospital.

Her mother had already passed away.

“We took our moments with her,” Clayman said. “It was weird. We spoke to her body like she could hear us so we could kind of get closure.”

yes

40.3% 59.7%

no *based on a poll of 233 bvhs students

media and suicide depends on the age group and individual.

“I don’t think social media facilitated [my mom’s] decision to [take her own “I try not to life], but it also was a way for her to vent about her problems even though let the sadness it wasn’t healthy,” Clayman said. swallow me and “Social media can be beneficial, but look in a it can also be very detrimental.”

As for Clayman, she said she used positive light.” social media as a distraction but also to show people that they are not all on their own.

“Recently, I posted a picture of my mom and me when I was a baby,” Clayman said. “I wrote ‘you’re not alone [and] you can reach out to people.’”

Despite everything that has happened, Clayman said she was able to learn things through her mother’s death.

“I became able to realize I shouldn’t regret things,” Clayman said. “I try not to let the sadness swallow me and look in a positive light.”

20 | september 2019 | feature

M

ental health may be becoming a more acceptable discussion topic within our society and at Blue Valley, but the topic of mental hospitals is still considered

hospital and the tools that they provided her.

“I like those friends that you make there,” she said. “You get really close to them, and you end up supporting each taboo. other. I feel like they were Senior Elizabeth a really big support Willis wishes to change system as well as my this, firstly by discussing counselor and doctors. her own experience at a My friends were mental hospital. my biggest support During her system when I was in sophomore year, Willis outpatient care.” was taken to Marillac, Willis said returning a mental hospital in to school was difficult.

Overland Park. Once she “I left right at finals, arrived at Marillac, staff so I had to come back talked to her about the to study for my finals,” rules. she said. “I had to “You really lose all drop several classes, your liberties,” she said. because I was too far “I couldn’t really have gone to finish them. anything — I couldn’t It was probably my even have my own roughest year, and I clothes. Then you’re in, think coming back was and they put you with just as bad as what had a group of similar happened before.” age people. Half of Willis thinks there’s the facility is teens, a lot of faculty who do | ILLUSTRATION BY ANIKA KREEGAR and the other half are not understand when children.” it comes to mental Patients participate in health. different therapies and “There were a other activities to support couple of counselors mental health. and my gifted teacher “We did multiple definitely knew what things [such as] art I was going through,” therapy, music therapy Willis said. “She would and things like that,” fight for me when Willis said. “If you admit teachers don’t really that you’re feeling down know that you’re still or something, you have recovering. When they to talk to the counselor. put you in the hospital, You really do lose all your it’s for immediate liberties.” care, and you’re still Willis spent three days recovering when at Marillac. you’re coming back, so “I was an outpatient, [teachers are] still pretty meaning I had to go in the rough on you.” morning,” she said. “In Willis said going the afternoon, I would go to the mental hospital home and sleep at home was supportive of her for a week.” mental health.

Willis said there are many different safety protocols that “It was [beneficial] because I did make new friends and they have to ensure patients are safe. learn that there are people who are dealing with the same “We got into a group,” she said. “When you’re in there for thing as me,” Willis said. “These kids were also suffering with inpatient, [you] do activities together, talk to counselors, and too much school, too [many] family problems and everything doctors.” starting to stack up. I think in the long run, it was for the Willis said she was able to get support at the mental better for sure.” | WORDS BY SPENCER NORMAN & MEGAN BRIDGES | DESIGN BY SPENCER NORMAN

Elizabeth Willis is the leader of Sources of Strength. The club meets Thursdays during Tiger Paws A in the professional library.

feature |september 2019 |

21

Elizabeth and Tristan Two students prove relationships can last throughout high school

What’s one pet peeve you have about each other?

E: “He’s always playing video games.”

T: “She’s so persistent about me coming over.”

Do you support each other’s interests?

E: “I support you playing Rocket League.”

T: “I support most of them.”

What are your favorite qualities about each other?

E: “You’re weird.”

T: “How caring you are, and you let me rant.”

What is your favorite date together?

E: “The one we went roller skating.”

T: “Our first [official] date when we went and saw ‘Spiderman: Homecoming.’” | DESIGN BY EMILY CUMMINGS

22 | september 2019 | feature

Athletes discuss fans’ role at games olivia sherlock & tymber moody staff writers

show up to at least 50 percent of the games and support the team.

“The players were extremely excited to hear that his would ou know them, you love them, the Blue Valley be happening,” Taulbee said. “Nothing has ever been done Superfans are always there at the games to help rile like this for soccer, so for this to happen was a big step up the crowds. They’re currently spreading their for the program.”

Taulbee has also gathered a lot of fan particenthusiasm through diverse sports at BV. ipation at other sporting events and has helped “Superfans have been around for as long as the volleyball team in adding Superfans and I can remember,” football player senior Evan their organization of them as well.

Taylor said. “Coming to the games when I The volleyball team had compared themwas a little kid, I remember seeing they had the selves to other schools fan sections and saw that tank tops on, and they were cheering on their their support was way lower than other schools best friends.” support. In response to this, they decided to This fun and exciting atmosphere that the create their own Superfans. football players share with their fans has always “This year we wanted to create solely been for the football team until this year. superfans not to ask for gifts but just to A few of the other sports teams have promote attendance,” senior volleyrecently started their own versions of ball player Evelyn Diederich said.

Superfans. At the start of this year, “We have an extremely talented senior Chase Taulbee created one senior class, and want our support to for the soccer teams and had a lot of match football or soccer games.” interest.

The team currently has 75 Su“We have 27 Superfans including perfans, and many more who have myself for the fall 2019 season,” Taulbee become interested in cheering them said. “Those are just the ones wearing shirts, on at home throughout the rest of their I have countless others tell me that they plan season. to come to all the games and support the “Every member of our team is so team.” incredibly thankful for our fans,” Diederich Taulbee wanted to give the soccer said. “Regardless of how many are there, teams the same amount of love and we appreciate everybody who has support as the other sports at helped us so far this season.” our school. | DESIGN Superfans have cheered on and “I saw there wasn’t a

BY MIA RICE supported the football team for as Superfan base for soccer orlong as anyone can remember and this ganized and since [senior] Nick tradition is only getting more interest as it spreads throughout Rofail and I went to every game last year, I decided that I all of the sports. would run it myself,” Taulbee said. “I believe every activity “It’s such a cool atmosphere, when the bleachers are needs a [fan base] at BV, and then I started to get invested in packed,” Taylor said. “You almost feel like it takes you to the the team and really enjoyed going to the games.” next level [and] you can perform better because you’re perAlthough they’ve kept the Superfans very traditional, they forming in front of your friends. Maybe you want to impress differ slightly from the football Superfans that everyone’s used them subconsciously, but I feel like it definitely allows you to to. They don’t ask for their fans to buy them drinks or snacks be the best player you can be at that time.” before every game, the only thing they asked was that they

Y

a & e |september 2019 |

23

2023 2023 Dictionary 2023Dictionary Dictionary freshmen bring their own language to bv

chloe browning staff writer Freshman year — that awkward year when you are finding new friends and learning how to walk down a hallway without stopping every five seconds to talk.

As we all know, high school

goes by quickly.

I am sure we can all remember our class walking down that red carpet with all the faculty and Tiger Mentors cheering for us during orientation.

Each class brings along their “culture,” and within that are the trends they follow, so we decided to dive into Frosh culture.

SKSKSK (sss-k sss-k) a sound affect for any conversation. synonym for “oof”

“Oh my Grandpa died.”

“Sksksk.”

anna oop (ah-nnahoohp) a sound affect made when you drop a hydroflask “I dropped my Hydroflask.”

“Anna oop. Anna oop.”

s PLi l

Metal Straw

Spill the Tea Sis

used to flaunt saving the turtles

tell me the gossip “Did you hear what Stacy did?”

“Spill the tea, Sis.”

periodT periodt (peer-ee-IT) to get your point across “My picture is in The Tiger Print newspaper.”

“Periodt.”

t E

tHe

A siS

| DESIGN BY ERIKA KOLSETH

24 | september 2019 | a & e

Are You Still Watching?

Shows coming and going on Netflix Why do TV shows and movies leave Netflix?

The shows and movies you see on Netflix are licensed. If the license is not renewed, it can expire. According to Netflix, the streaming service evalulates whether or not they should renew the TV show or movie with the following criteria: 1. Are the rights still available to renew the licensing to stream?

2. What is the popularity and cost of a particular title?

3. Are there other seasonal or localized factors?

Leaving

Coming

Sept. 24

Portlandia

An Emmy-winning sketch comedy show starring former SNL cast member Fred Armisen and Carrie Browstein. The show takes place in Portland, Oregon, focusing on a hipster absurdity.

Sept. 25

Parenthood

This Golden Globe-nominated drama show features four adult siblings managing family, career, relationships and more in Berkeley, California.

Sept. 26

Bachelorette

Starring leading actresses Kirsten Dunst, Rebel Wilson and Isla Fisher, this raunchy comedy is about a single woman who has to be the maid of honor for a girl who teased her throughout high school.

| PHOTOS COURTESY OF IMDB | DESIGN BY CLAIRE POWELL & SHAY LAWSON

Sept. 20

Between Two Ferns: The Movie

Bringing back the internet hit “Between Two Ferns� from Funny or Die, Zach Galifianakis go on the road, interviewing famous celebrities in order to restore his reputation.

Sept. 24

American Horror Story: Apocalypse

This 2018 ten episode season is set after the nuclear apocalypse in which chosen individuals survive and run outpost created by the mysterious Cooperative.

Sept. 30

Gotham: Season 5

This final season of the Emmy-nominated show takes place in which Gotham is on the brink of chaos. Bruce Wayne and other heroes fight to win back the city.

hoco?

a & e |september 2019 |

25

students compete to be featured in The Tiger Print for their creative homecoming proposals

L-E-T-S G-O to HOCO Ryan Barbosa, 9 & Gwen Helfrey, 9 How he asked her: “I went to the supply store and bought a bunch of markers and posters, and then me and a couple of her friends went over and suprised her. Oh, I also wore her friend’s cheerleading outfit.”

How she reacted: “My mom told me to get the door, and then I walked outside and then my friends were there with Ryan. I was really suprised.”

| PHOTO SUBMITTED BY GWEN HELFREY

it would be a crime not to go to hoco Caden Hunt, 11 & Emma Puntch, 11 How he asked her: “It started with the idea that I should kidnap her. She was really scared and she kept saying, ‘Oh my god’ and ‘This can’t be happening right now.’”

How she reacted: “After we left, we forgot to take down the crime scene tape and the body thing, and people thought it was a real crime scene.”

| PHOTO SUBMITTED BY CADEN HUNT

kick it with me @ hoco?

Gavin Ruder, 11 & Hadley Way, 10 How he asked her: “It was after my soccer game, and Hadley was making a Tik Tok; I used my sign to ask her.”

How she reacted: “I didn’t expect anything because I was just making a Tik Tok. I was a little shocked when he asked me just because I had no idea that that was happening.”

| PHOTO SUBMITTED BY HADLEY WAY

| WORDS & DESIGN BY CHARLIE TRENT

26 | september 2019 | a & e

. . . y d r o W e l t t i L a s i e g a P This Students describe themselves using one word

Max Gelman, 11 “I chose this word because I like to meet new people and have new experiences with people. I’m a very friendly person if it’s people that are my age, older, younger, teachers or family members — I like to be incorporated with them.”

Nick Rofail, 12 Nicole Osterland, 9 “I would choose compassionate because I love to meet new people and help others. Sometimes I volunteer at the food kitchen, and I help people down there. I also love doing community service and helping others.”

“[I chose the word] passionate because I just love everything — especially showing support for sports and showing that I care and putting the effort in. Even my mom can tell. She loves how all of the players and everyone treats me about [my passion]. She always says, ‘I can tell you’re really passionate about it.’”

Tista Palmukhopadhyay, 10 “I chose this word because usually, in situations like these, I guess I put myself out there first because I like to get things done. I also volunteer at the hospital, so we have two people at each desk, and I usually am the spokesperson to all of the guests.”

| DESIGN BY TYMBER MOODY

opinion |september 2019 |

27

The Importance of Rebellion A little rule-breaking has benefits vince orozco managing editor

French Absurdist Albert Camus once said, “The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.”

Life has no inherent meaning.

There is no ultimate plan or goal to our existence. This is because our existence precedes our essence.

In contrast to a pencil, which is first conceptualized as a thing with which to write before it is made manifest, humanity has no purpose before our creation.

We are simply thrown into the world and are forced to make choices.

These choices are vital. They are what help give context to our existence and the world around us. They may even help give meaning to the world.

And yet, for Camus, this process of creating projects to establish meaning is in itself meaningless. No

matter how hard we try, we shall not find meaning nor shall we create it.

However, despite this bleak outlook, we should not give up on our search. We ought to rebel against the conditions of human existence and search for meaning, knowing full well that we shall not find it simply out of spite.

The decision to rebel can manifest in various ways. One such manifestation is the decision to fight for one’s beliefs against intense opposition.

One instance is, obviously, Martin Luther King Jr.’s various social activist work. Even with nonviolent actions MLK was rebellious. He was beaten, threatened, jailed and eventually martyred, all because he fought for a positive peace with the presence of justice. Had he not had the willingness to rebel against the unjust social order, our world would be worse off.

However, rebellion is valuable to humanity, not only for political reasons, but for aesthetic and personal reasons.

Socrates on the precipice of death denied the chance to escape his fate. Even in obeying the state’s

mandate, Socrates committed an act of rebellion that is vital to the history of western philosophy and society as a whole. He believed the true philosopher did not have a fear of death. In this sense, Socrates died for a higher principle.

However, the decision to rebel need not always be life and death.

For instance Impressionist painter Claude Monet chose to rebel against the artistic rules established by the Académie des Beaux-Art. Additionally, French director JeanLuc Godard would have never gained his place as the innovative film maker who would inspire so many others had he not chosen to break the established rules of editing and story structure.

In a word, no good art was made by following the rules.

This is not to say that one ought to rebel simply for rebellions sake; rather, rebellion ought to be productive.

One should not decide, for instance, to eschew bathing simply for the sake of rebellion against the established order of hygiene.

One should, instead, seek to rebel in order to create something new.

| DESIGN BY ERIKA KOLSETH

28 | september 2019 | opinion

! ? h c u How M g too much in y a p s n a cation? u d e Are Americ y r a d n ost-seco for public p

chloe browning Americans end up having to take out student loans that they will staff writer spend years paying off.

In the United States as many as 44.7 million Americans have For most of us, college is just student loan debt, according to the next step in life because in the Federal Reserve Bank of New today’s economy getting a higher York. education is a necessity for most to Around the world, young minds go into the career we want to work go to college for much cheaper in. But for something that is so than students in the United States; necessary, college education comes in fact according to The Atlantic, at a very steep price. in a third of developed countries, Even though a college degree, free college is offered and another post-secondary credential or third of developed countries keep certificate has never been more tuition as low as possible, on averimportant, it has also never been age around $3,000. more expensive.

So why are U.S. public colleges Within the last three decades, so expensive? tuition at public four-year univerWell, this has to do with ecosities has more than doubled, even nomics along with politics. Many after adjusting for inflation. state legislatures within the past According to College Board, the three decades have been spending average instate tuition per semester less and less per student on higher for a public university is around education due to other expenses. $6,000 without room and board; Essentially states have been now multiply that by eight to say leaving public universities begging on average you will spend $48,000 for money. Since the colleges have on just in-state tuition. lost state money, they have no If you are looking to get out choice but to raise the tuition rate of Kansas like I am, the price per student. range goes into a whole new For something so vital to a ballpark. Out-of-state tuition is prospering life, you would think about $14,000 per semester, which our government would find a means on average, you will need to way to provide its future with the pay about $112,000 in tuition to education needed to compete with receive your bachelor’s degree. workers around the world.

These prices are extremely It’s time for America to take itsteep for anyone but especially for self to the next level — but that all someone in their late teens and starts with educating the students early 20s. Many of these young of today. | DESIGN BY CHLOE BROWNING

What former BV students have paid

Kansas University$10,824 per year

Kansas State University$10,135 per year

University of Arkansas$15,966 per year

Texas Christian University$35,363

WHERE TO GO?

opinion |september 2019 |

29

The debate over equality in public restrooms

gabriela ruiz staff writer By their very nature, gender-neutral bathrooms are more inclusive. While standard segregated restrooms have subjected members of the transgender community to judgment and undue punishment, unisex restrooms would help to eliminate this controversy.

Not only would this be an improvement in safety for transgender people, but it would also serve as an ideological victory by sending a message of inclusivity.

Unisex restrooms are also undoubtedly more convenient.

Parents with young children wouldn’t have to search, often in vain, for single-stall family restrooms while in public spaces. This effectively would make bathrooms safer for young kids, while putting their parents, especially single parents, at ease. The same can be said for people with disabilities and their caretakers.

Some argue gender-neutral bathrooms invite harassment or even assault.

The simple fact is that this claim is fallacious. However, it has been used as effective fear-mongering to dissuade people from accepting this muchneeded development.

It’s time to create a more modern society that is accepting of everyone, and one of many steps toward that goal is the expanded usage of unisex restrooms.

While it won’t solve all of the world’s injustices alone, it is not an issue that should be disregarded.

isabelle fletcher staff writer

?

While some differ from that opinion, voicing their many opinions on bathrooms and who should use which one, it has become more and more widely accepted that transgender people should be allowed into the gendered bathroom they identify as. The issue here is that the minority is loud and vehement about the usage of bathrooms.

The bathrooms in question would have to have some level of regulated security.

Due to allowing both female, male and gender-nonconforming people, people using these bathrooms would have to deal with preventing harassment from others.

On the other hand, harassment in bathrooms occurs no matter the bathroom.

Male and female bathrooms are a good example of where harassment can occur, especially in schools.

Restrooms are notoriously a touchy subject, and the addition of another bathroom is making people unsettled — but in the modern-day, we are due for progress.

| DESIGN BY ISABELLE FLETCHER

30 | september 2019 | opinion

I’m a Barbie Girl

Female-EmpoweringWorld World ininaaFemale-Empowering Barbies affect female image, self esteem olivia sherlock staff writer

1959

1973

| DESIGN BY MIA RICE

We’ve all seen the life-size proportions of Barbie. Everyone can recognize the platinum blonde hair, tight dress and high heels.

But why do these qualities have to make her any less of a role model to young girls?

People come in all different shapes and sizes, and every shape and size is beautiful.

I understand Barbie doesn’t come in all shapes and sizes, but if the argument is that everyone is beautiful, then putting down a certain type of person because of how they look seems rather hypocritical.

Barbie is mainly criticized for her unattainable body, making young girls feel insecure.

However, toys like Legos, Mrs. Potato Head, Cabbage Patch Kids, Beanie Babies and all those G.I. Joe dolls are never criticized for having unattainable bodies.

You would never hear somebody talk about how it’s not fair that Mrs. Potato Head doesn’t look real, because she’s not — she’s a potato. But Barbie isn’t real ethier — she’s a doll.

If everyone could look past the exterior for a second, you would see the interior — the message behind Barbie, which is quite the feminist ideal.

Barbie is a successful independent

career-motivated woman.

She has had more than 200 jobs.

She has conquered many male dominated parts of society for decades.

In the ‘60s, she traveled to the moon four years before astronaut Neil Armstrong. In the ‘70s, she was a surgeon in a time when very few women were even applying for medical school.

Barbie has never been the weaker sex.

She has never been subservient.

A bit of a diva at times or just a powerful woman?

You can’t say she was ever inferior to Ken, who let’s be honest, was less of a boyfriend and more of an accessory.

She didn’t need to marry rich or do whatever her husband wanted her to do.

She’s showing us that women can have it all.

We can have a family, we can feel beautiful and we can have a career.

Even if that’s not what you want, Barbie is a symbol that what you want, you can get it — and you don’t need a man to get it for you.

I would argue that taking what she looks like and all her femininity to derail all the good empowering things she’s done is anti-feminist in and of itself.

Barbie took the world by storm and did it all in a dress and heels. If that’s not an empowering female role model, then I don’t know what is.

staff ed |september 2019 |

31

| CARTOON BY MEGAN BRIDGES

Language holds often understated power “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.”

On its face, this simple aphorism is obviously true. No spoken language can cause any sort of physical trauma.

You won’t lose a leg or suffer a concussion because somebody said something mean to you — this we can all agree on.

However, what this philosophy fails to recognize is that words do hold sway over our world. And while they may not themselves break bones, they can

inspire others to do so in their stead.

A process of normalization of abuse can occur when derogatory language receives repeated use. Soon the occasional offensive remark can come to reflect more than just humor or irony but a real acceptance of harmful rhetoric.

This is not to say that every joke that’s slightly edgy will lead one to become an accomplice in bigotry; but rather, one ought to be mindful of the wider discourse one’s language

occurs in. Because whether in an ironic and informal setting or dressed up academic veneer, harmful rhetoric ends up being more than just harmless discussion.

To quote philosopher and video essayist Oliver Thorn, “this is not Bertrand Russell and Ludwig Wittgenstein knocking back pints on the banks of the river in Cambridge and talking about philosophy. This is street philosophy, and it gets dirty because it’s life and death.”

This staff editorial is the representation of the opinion of The Tiger Print staff.

32 | september 2019 | feature

Chase Benton Karges May 1, 2002 - Feb. 13, 2019 Chase Benton Karges 16, passed away on Feb. 13, 2019. He adored all things sports. Those who attended his funeral were asked to wear sports attire because Chase hated dressing up. Chase

“He was one of the best guys I’ve ever met. I love those nights where we would be hanging out and talk about life.”

-Grant Ketcher, 12

“One of my favorite memories with him was the Waka Flocka Flame concert.”

-Tyler Warrell, 12

“He was a great friend; you could always count on him.”

-Zac Sewell, 12 “[My friends and I] would just show up at [Chase’s] house with a Winsteads grilled cheese [sandwich] without even telling him.”

-Haley Renkemeyer, 12

| DESIGN BY CHLOE BROWNING

also loved rap music, Fortnite and McDonalds (aka Chons). Chase’s loved ones hope his legacy brings awareness to the real struggles of depression and anxiety. Chase is survived by his parents Craig

& Allison, older brother Clint, younger sister Chloe and other extended family and friends. To continue his memory many of his friends participated in the “Speak Up” walk on Sunday, Sept. 15.

“He was so caring, welcoming and sincere.”

-Keely Yang, 12

“He was my best friend since I was born; he was always there for me.”

-McCall Smith,12

“We were the first ones to move in across the street from each other and we immediately became friends [when] he was 4 and I was 5.”

-Kline Corkill, 12